The One Thing To Do in Wyoming Before the End of the Year

The Cowboy State is home to everything from rugged natural beauty to upscale dining—and everything in between. This, of course, can make deciding what to do in Wyoming a bit of a challenge in any season. One way, however, to get a taste of some of the best our state has to offer, while enjoying festive holiday events between now and year's end, is checking out Teton Village Winterfest. I think it's the one thing you need to do in Wyoming before the end of the year.

The town of Jackson and its namesake ski resort in the shadow of the Grand Tetons are indisputable wonderlands throughout the winter season, but they up the festive factor to the next level in the few weeks between Thanksgiving and the new year. It's a fantastic place to dine, shop, and get a jump on winter activities in the Cowboy State.

Toward the end of December, the focus shifts to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for holiday festivities when the annual Teton Village Winterfest celebration kicks off. The event, a Jackson Hole tradition for more than half a century, comprises two weeks of holiday and unique winter festivities that last right up until New Year's Eve.

This year, Teton Village Winterfest kicks off on December 19, 2025, with the tree-lighting ceremony, which is accompanied by the illumination of the otherworldly "GlowNights" installation with its Electric Dandelions. It's a sensory feast and a time to explore snow castles, sip hot chocolate, and marvel at the spectacle of it all. This initial burst of light and community spirit immediately warms the soul and defies the chill of the year's longest nights.

Over the next several days, the festivities continue with activities such as a meet-and-greet with the resort's avalanche dogs, climbing into a Snow Cat, cookie decorating, and ornament making. On Christmas Eve, Santa will arrive via tram and descend into the resort. You can even ski with the Jolly Man himself on Christmas Day.

Free skate nights with hot cocoa at the Teton Village Rink will take place throughout the festival, and families can join in a scavenger hunt on the day after Christmas. One of the coolest events, I think, is the annual sledding evening—December 27, 2025, this year—when you can actually sled on a designated area of the resort's famous slopes. Teton Village Winterfest culminates on New Year's Eve with the annual Torchlight and Glow Worm Parade, in which kids will glide down the slopes with glow sticks while staff light the runs with torches, followed by a fireworks display on the mountainside.

I can't think of a better way to end the year in the Cowboy State—can you? If so, we'd love to hear about your favorite ways to end the year in Wyoming over on our Nomination page. For more winter inspiration in Wyoming, be sure to give Only In Your State’s AI-powered itinerary planner a try.